The SSO A-Z guide to queer Sydney

Lip-synching Of all the high art forms, lip-synching surely ranks highest in this delightfully cultured community of ours -“ and with good reason. As any reputable drag diva will attest, a good lip-synch takes talent and years of practice. Acclaimed lip-synchers usually begin with the pre-teen hairbrush-in-the-bedroom phase. Classic pop is the best choice for here -“ Olivia Newton-John and Whitney Houston circa 1985 are ideal. The budding lip-syncher should then move on to small-scale performances for family and friends. By now they should be attempting more challenging material -“ intermediate choices include show tunes and some power ballads, although the more difficult C?ne Dion numbers are best kept for later. The final stage should involve a glamorous production number at a public venue of the artist’s choice. The most gifted lip-synchers will attempt opera or Mariah Carey at football finals, Olympic Games opening ceremonies or a gay venue anywhere. However talented the performer, it is always wise to practise rapid hand movements in front of the face should one stumble during a tricky lip-synch. Lip-synchers wanting proof of their art form’s cachet will visit the annual Drag Industry Variety Awards or a concert by any number of pop divas. Luminaries including Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Lindsay Lohan have all been accused of miming in the past, an allegation any good lip-syncher knows should be worn as a badge of honour.

Leather The leather scene is one of gay and lesbian Sydney’s most enduring sub-cultures, with its own regular social events, dance parties, bars and retailers. All sorts of folk get a kick out of donning the leather pants, chest harness, arm band or cap, from lawyers and accountants to stock brokers and hairdressers, for all sorts of reasons. Some like the look and feel on their skin, others find it unbelievably sexy. Some are casual leather enthusiasts who enjoy wearing it on special occasions, such as Sleaze and the leather party Inquisition. Some wear it every weekend when they head out to leather bars like Manacle for a drink. Some incorporate it into their everyday work clothes. And some really love to wear leather during sex. These fetishists are often into things like BDSM (bondage/ domination and sadism/ masochism). The Sydney Leather Pride Association runs educational workshops with topics including Smack: a practical approach to corporal punishment; BDSM on a budget; Practical rope: basics; and the intriguingly titled, Blades and pointy things.